Yesterday around 4:00 PM, several tornados passed through Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin causing major damage, but no serious injuries have been reported at this time.

In Harvard in McHenry County, damage to several homes and toppled freight train cars could be seen on video broadcast on local TV stations.

Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis said no one was injured when seven freight cars derailed in Harvard.

One tank car, which was leaking Monday night, contained shock fluid, Davis said. Another tank car that ended up on its side contained ethylene oxide, a flammable material widely used to sterilize medical supplies, but a Union Pacific manager on the scene determined that tank was not leaking, Davis said.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of about 500 residents in the nearby unincorporated town of Lawrence because of the potential for a hazardous materials situation, said Capt. David Shepherd with the McHenry County sheriff's office. No injuries were reported, he said.

The other five derailed cars on the train headed to Janesville, Wis., from North Lake contained auto parts, Davis said.